Toyota Gazoo Racing Aim To Bounce Back At Nürburgring

Toyota Gazoo Racing will return to its high-downforce setup on its pair of TS050Hybrids as the FIA WorldEnduranceChampionship returns this weekend at the Nürburgring.

After the heartbreak of last month’s 24 Hours of LeMans, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming to bounce back in Germany and make it three wins out of the opening four events in the 2017 championship after taking the victories at both Silverstone and Spa earlier this year.

JoséMaríaLópez returns to the #7 car alongside MikeConway and KamuiKobayashi after the defending FIAWorldTouringCar Champion moved across to the teams extra #9 car for Le Mans.

The #8 sees an unchanged line up with AnthonyDavidson, KazukiNakajima and SébastienBuemi set to challenge for win number three in 2017.

FormulaE leader Buemi continues in the Toyota rather than competing in the NewYorkePrix, where PierreGasly is set to replace him in the e.damsRenault.

Toyota go into the 6 hour race this weekend 32.5 points behind LMP1 rivals Porsche in the manufacturer championship, while the trio in #8 lie in second in the drivers’ standings after retiring from Le Mans.

Lopez, who is only making his fourth WEC start this weekend, said on the upcoming race: “It’s good to be driving alongside Mike and Kamui again; I hope we can stand on the podium together for the first time.”

“I have been learning WEC step by step so far this season and I feel like I’ve made really good progress so I can’t wait to race again at the Nürburgring.”

While Davidson who is driving the #8 car commented: “The target for us now is clearly the World Championship. We are a little behind after Le Mans but there are six races left so we have a good chance and our car is clearly quick as we have shown already.”

Photo Credit: @www.toyota-motorsport-photos.com

Toyota will be hoping to improve on the team’s performances over the last two years at the German track, where they’ve only achieved a best of fifth place in both 2015 and 2016.

Round four of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship takes place at the Nürburgring in Germany this weekend between July 14-16.